Webster University Ranked Highest Ever by U.S. News and World Report

University rose three spots from last year.

ST. LOUIS - Webster University moved up three spots in the just-released “America's
Best Colleges” 2014 edition of “U.S. News & World Report” from 24th to 21st in the Regional University-Midwest category. For the fifth consecutive year, Webster
University tops its category for schools in the St. Louis Area.

This is the highest level ranking that Webster University has received on a “U.S.
News & World Report,” and this is the second year in a row that Webster University
has risen in the rankings, moving from 28th on the 2012 list. Overall, Webster tied with Bethel University and Milwaukee School
of Engineering as among the best Midwest Regional Universities.

"Webster University focuses on providing programs of recognized academic excellence
at great value with attention to students' success,” said Webster President Elizabeth
“Beth” J. Stroble. “Our talented faculty and staff continue to develop innovative
and engaging ways to prepare students for an increasingly connected world that demands
life-long learning. As this ranking news indicates, the quality of a Webster education
and our reputation are growing as a result.”

“U.S. News & World Report” defines institutions in the Regional University category
as those that provide a full range of undergraduate majors and master's programs.
Schools are listed among four regions - North, South, Midwest and West. Nationwide,
621 institutions are in the Regional University category; 147 of those are in the
Midwest region. Institutions in each region are listed as a Tier 1 or Tier 2 institution.
Webster has been ranked a Tier 1 institution for more than a decade.

Overall, Webster's entire score went up in just about every category on the list,
including graduation and retention rates.

Webster was ranked as an “A-Plus School for B Students” among Midwest regional colleges.
According to “U.S. News and World Report,” this category is for students with “B average”
grades who felt that they could do well in a top college, and that the colleges on
the list “truly seek a broad, engaged student body” and accept a mix of both top academic
students as well as those who show potential. Webster also made two other lists:

Economic Diversity among the Top 25 Ranked Schools in the Regional Universities (Midwest)
category: Webster is listed as first with 51% of undergraduate students at the Webster
Groves campus receiving Pell Grants in 2011-2012.

Highest Proportion of Classes with Fewer than 20 Students in the Regional Universities
(Midwest) category: Webster is listed third with 86.3% of undergraduate classes in
fall 2012 on the Webster Groves campus having fewer than 20 students enrolled.

“This newest rankings of Webster University by U.S. News & World Report is indicative
of our investments in the best educational experiences for our students,” said Provost,
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Julian Schuster. “Increased number
of the full time faculty, relevant programs, personalized attention, and modern facilities
reflect our commitment to serve the multi-talented student body.”

Earlier this year, Webster University's online graduate education program was recognized
by “U.S. News & World Report” at 27 among the 100 best in the nation, while its online
business program was recognized at 62 among the 100 best. Webster University's nursing
program was ranked at 295 out of 442 programs, and its nursing-anesthesia program
was ranked at 48 out of 100 by the magazine in 2011, the last year the magazine reviewed
nursing programs in the United States. The University also has been recognized by
several other rankings earlier this year. This summer, “Forbes” listed Webster as
among the best universities and colleges in the country, while “Affordable Colleges
Online” listed Webster as having one of the top “returns on investments” for alumni.

In this year's introduction to the rankings, “U.S. News & World Report” says, “The
host of intangibles that make up the college experience can't be measured by a series
of data points. But for families concerned with finding the best academic value for
their money, the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings provide an excellent starting point
for the search.”

With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University (www.webster.edu) is the only Tier 1, private, non-profit U.S.-based university providing a network
of international residential campuses and a robust online learning program. Founded
in 1915, Webster University's campus network today includes metropolitan, military
and corporate locations around the world, as well as traditional residential campuses
in Asia, Europe and North America, with a campus in Africa expected to open in 2014.
The university is committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform
students for global citizenship and individual excellence.